Landon watched Dakota approach the makeshift altar. The last of the day’s light caressed her silhouette, turning her flowing dark hair into a halo of flames and lending an otherworldly quality to her tall, statuesque figure.

The outdoor setting was simple yet breathtaking, the rugged beauty of Copper Canyon serving as their cathedral. Rows of wooden chairs were adorned with wildflowers, and the sound of a gentle breeze rustling through the surrounding grasses provided a soft accompaniment to the murmurs of their gathered friends and family.

Landon’s heart thrummed in his chest, each beat echoing the slow, relentless burn of desire that Dakota had kindled within him since the first time they’d met. His intense eyes, normally so adept at concealing his emotions, betrayed the depth of his feeling for her now. The air around them seemed to shimmer with the latent power of their bond, a tangible force as intoxicating as the heady scent of sagebrush that perfumed the evening.

Landon couldn’t take his eyes off her. The way the soft, flowing fabric of the dress moved with the breeze seemed to echo the easy grace she carried herself with, as if she belonged perfectly in this moment, in this place. The gown was simple yet elegant, the kind of beauty that didn’t need to shout to be noticed.

The ivory fabric of her dress caught the golden glow of the late afternoon sun, the delicate lace on the bodice glinting faintly as she moved. The straps framed her shoulders and the curve of her neck in a way that made him forget to breathe for a second, while the open back showed just enough to stir something deep in his chest.

But it was the skirt that captivated him most. It fluttered softly around her legs with every step, the layers of fabric flowing like water, light as the breeze whispering through the ranch. The blush and sage embroidery, subtle but undeniable, reminded him of the wildflowers that dotted the fields around them—a quiet, natural beauty that seemed to be the perfect reflection of the woman who wore it.

As she turned toward him, the row of buttons trailing from the open back all the way down to the hem drew his gaze, grounding him in the reality of how lucky he was to be standing there, watching her. For all the grandeur and tradition weddings were supposed to have, there was something about this—her, in that dress, here on the ranch—that felt like magic. Something he never wanted to forget.

As Dakota reached him, she bestowed upon him a smile that held the promise of shared secrets and silent understandings. In that smile, he read the resilience that had carried her through battles both physical and emotional, the same tenacity that had drawn him to her like a moth to flame.

“Are you ready?” the officiant asked, his voice resonating with the solemnity of the occasion.

“Never been more ready for anything in my life,” Landon replied, his voice a low rumble that only Dakota could understand was his pledge to protect her, to cherish the fire of her spirit even as it merged with his own.

They exchanged vows as the sun’s final rays painted the sky in shades of purple and pink, the colors of a healing bruise a fitting metaphor for two souls who had found solace and strength in one another.

With the declaration of their union, the guests erupted in cheers, but for Landon, the cacophony faded to a distant echo. His world consisted of Dakota’s hand in his, the electric touch igniting every nerve ending with a current that sang of destiny fulfilled.

As twilight descended, bringing with it the first stars of the night, they turned away from the celebration, their gazes locked in silent conversation. With a nod, Dakota followed Landon to where two horses stood, saddled and waiting. He grasped her waist, lifting her up onto her horse before swinging up onto his own.

With a shared sense of urgency, they nudged their horses into a canter, leaving the sounds of the party behind. The rhythm of the hoofbeats matched the pounding in Landon’s chest, an echo of the primal beat that drove all creatures under the vast Texas sky.

As they crested a hill, the full expanse of the sunset spread before them, a canvas of fiery hues. They pulled their horses to a stop, overlooking the expanse of their shared future—a land steeped in magic and mystery, a home that promised both sanctuary and challenge.

Dakota leaned into Landon, her breath warm against his neck as their bodies pressed close, the heat between them rivaling that of the sun’s last embers. The world around them might be fraught with danger and secrets, but there was only certainty in each other’s embrace.

“Forever starts now,” she whispered, her voice carrying the seductive undertone of the night to come.

“Forever,” Landon echoed, sealing the vow with a kiss that spoke of passion, protection, and a love fierce enough to withstand any storm.

Together, they urged their horses forward once more, racing toward the horizon where the sun slipped away, leaving a trail of darkness in its wake. But in that darkness, there was no fear, only the thrill of the unknown and the unbreakable bond that would guide them through whatever lay ahead. They rode off into the night, their silhouettes merging with the dusk, two souls bound by a love as eternal as the stars above.